The NATO summit last week was held at The Grove, Watford, which used to be a British Railways Training Centre. Very nice it was too, with extensive grounds, nice food etc. I did several courses there including the Quality 500 course in the 1980’s which was part of the major Quality Through People initiative which, I think, was very successful despite initial scepticism from some.

Yes, I remember them - they were either side of the single track hump back bridge on the (very long) drive. We weren't allowed taxis in the early days so it was the bus from Watford Junction and then a long walk up that drive.

I used to work for British Waterways at their Willow Grange, Watford head office. It always rankled that BW got the premises next to the West Coast Main Line, while BR got the (much nicer) premises next to the Grand Union Canal...

I hope I can say this without getting a visit from the boys and girls of Special Branch - "GROVE" and "DEEPDENE" were telegraphic code abbreviations in use on the railways of yore. These codes referred to the operation of the Royal Train. I guess no more strange than having codes for wagons such as "BLOATER" or "ELEPHANT" meaning "Can you trace receipt of ..."

I think that both The Grove and Deepdene were both properties used by the railway at some time

I hope I can say this without getting a visit from the boys and girls of Special Branch - "GROVE" and "DEEPDENE" were telegraphic code abbreviations in use on the railways of yore. These codes referred to the operation of the Royal Train. I guess no more strange than having codes for wagons such as "BLOATER" or "ELEPHANT" meaning "Can you trace receipt of ..."

I think that both The Grove and Deepdene were both properties used by the railway at some time

Given there's a copy of the working instructions on eBay (and I have no connection to the listing) I think you're safe.

These instructions were delivered by the Area Manager or an AAM only a matter of less than an hour before the Royal Train was due to pass a signalbox or station, and removed soon afterwards. They were not left lying around at all. This was in the days of the IRA terror. This copy must be something of a rarity.

Remember the Grove well 6 week Work Study course Feb 68. Consequently i can study wok all day long!

Als0 College at Derby.

Off tangent, I've always wondered what happened to Work Study - it was huge on BR in the 60s but I'm not sure it exists at all now.

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